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A VISIT TO THE RED SULPHUR SPRING 

OF VIRGINIA, 



DURING THE SUMMER OF 1837: WITH OBSERVA- 
TIONS ON THE WATERS. 



BY HENRY HUNTT, M. D. 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION, CONTAINING NOTICES OF 
ROUTES, &c. BY AN ANNUAL VISITER. 



**<* Washing 
BOSTON: 

DUTTON AND WENTWORTH, PRINTER! 

1839. 



^h 







The following Pamphlet, by Dr. Huntt, was printed in Washington 
City, 1838. It is now re-printed in Boston, with an Introduction, by an 
Annual Visiter from this City. 

Boston, August, 1839. 



INTRODUCTION, 



New England has the character, whether deservedly or not, 
of being more subject to complaints of the lungs, than other 
parts of the country. From the oral reports made to me, and 
from the publication of Dr. John Bell, on Baths and Mineral 
Waters, in general, and of the Virginia Springs in particular ; as 
well as from the pamphlet to which this note is appended, it is 
believed that the waters of the Red Sulphur, are peculiarly 
adapted to the relief, if not to the prevention of consumption. 
In this belief, I have caused a few hundred copies of the pam- 
phlet by Dr. Huntt to be printed, intending to cause a copy of 
it to be placed in the hands of the medical gentlemen of my 
native State ; as well as to present a copy to each of the 
clergy, whose kind attentions are known to be always at the 
service of those who are suffering under diseases, in their 
several parishes. 

The variety of mineral waters in Upper Virginia, is proba- 
bly greater, than is found ivithin the same space in any portion 
of the globe. That there are waters of the same character in 



Europe, there is no doubt ; but as far as I am informed, or 
have experienced, one must travel hundreds of miles to pro- 
cure the waters suited to the variety of cases, to which the 
springs of Yirginia are adapted. The Warm Spring, the Hot 
Spring, the Sweet Spring, the White Sulphur Spring, the Salt 
Sulphur Spring, the Red Sulphur, the Grey Sulphur, and the 
Blue Sulphur, can all be reached in travelling one hundred 
and ten miles ; and the four, first named, are within a circle of 
fifty miles. When the efficacy of these springs is mentioned 
to those, who live in Boston, and who are nine hundred miles 
distant from them, and who may think that their complaints 
might be mitigated, if not entirely relieved by some of those 
various springs, the trial is often not made, either on account of 
the difficulty of reaching the springs, or from erroneous notions 
in regard to the expense of the journey. I will now give the 
most direct route, and state the expenses of the journey. 

The city of Washington may be reached from Boston with 
ease in three and a half days,* by steamboat and rail-road, via. 
Stonington, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. To 
Washington the expense of travel will be $21, and if you add 
a dollar per day for your support, three dollars and a half, gives 
$24J, for this part of the tour. From hence you have the 
choice of routes to the Warm Springs. The shortest is by 
coach from Washington to Warrington or Lee's Springs, thence 
to Orange Court House, Charlottesville, Stanton to the Warm 
Springs. Another route is from Washington or Baltimore, by 

* I have been on the road from ihe Hot Springs to this place, Boston, but four and a half 
days having stopped ten hours at Baltimore, four at Philadelphia, and four at New Yort. 



k/ 



rail-road to Harper's Ferry and Winchester, thence to Har- 
risonburg, and thence to the Warm Springs ; the distance by- 
stage being from one hundred and thirty to one hundred and 
forty miles, and the stage fare here about ten cents per mile. 
Through Virginia, on the great roads, the price of dinner and 
supper and breakfast, are fifty cents each j the time, two days. 
A third route is by steamboat from Baltimore or Washington to 
within a few miles of the mouth of James River, where you 
are met by, and transferred to, another steamboat which takes 
you to Richmond, the capital of Virginia ; thence by rail-road 
to Louisa Court House, seventy miles, and in thirty miles 
more by coach, you reach Charlottesville, thence to Stanton and 
the Warm Springs in a day. A fourth route is from Washing- 
ton by steamboat to Potomac Creek ; thence by stage, nine 
miles to Fredericksburg, where you are taken in the cars of 
the rail-road, and thence to Louisa Court House, where the 

rail-road now terminates, thence to Charlottesville, as in the 
former route. 

The most beautiful of the routes is that which takes you by 
Harper's Ferry, and Winchester, through the superb valley of 
the Shenandoah. The road from Winchester to Harrisonburg 
is now under the process of McAdamizing, and, in another 
year, will be finished ; and I have no doubt will be a fine road, 
and the readiest way to get to the Warm Springs. Charlottes- 
ville is worthy a day in order to see the Colleges, and Monte- 
cello, the late residence of Mr. Jefferson. Between Charlottes- 
ville and Stanton, you cross the Blue Ridge, from the sum- 
mit of which you overlook an immense extent of country. 
The roads, after the last of May, are good, no where dangerous, 



6 



and generally equal to those in our own State. The road from 
Charlottesville to the Warm Springs does not pass through 
much cultivated country in proportion to the distance, but the 
mountain scenery compensates for the want of cultivation. 
Within five or six miles of the Warm Springs, you commence 
the ascent of the Warm Spring Mountain, by a zigzag turn- 
pike, and reach it by the road, in five miles : though a straight 
line from where you begin the ascent, to the turnpike gate on 
the top, is probably not more than two miles. From the top 
of this mountain, you have a still more extensive view than 
from the Blue Ridge, before noticed. 

The road from the summit to the hotel kept by Col. Fry, 
at the Warm Springs, is a sharp descent of one and a half 
miles. This is the first of the baths before spoken of. The 
hotel is 150 feet in length, built of brick, with a piazza 15 feet 
wide. The lodging chambers are large, and the fare good. 
The large bath is of an octagon form, open at the top, upwards 
of 40 feet in diameter, the water 4 1-2 to 5 feet deep, the 
temperature of the spring is 98° of Faren. The water is per- 
fectly transparent, and almost as buoyant as the Dead Sea, as 
described by Stevens. Bubbles are constantly rising from the 
bottom. The fact that when empty, it takes but fifteen min- 
utes to fill it, shows the abundant supply of this Mountain 
Spring. This is called the pleasure bath, from its tempera- 
ture, and other concomitants. The waters of the Warm 
Springs in Yirginia are less medicinal than the Cold Water 
Springs ; but as a bathing establishment, it cannot be sur- 
passed. The avenues by which you reach the baths, and par- 
ticularly the ladies bath, are bad, and even dangerous to per- 



sons in feeble health ; but the keeper of the house assured me 
that this shall be corrected. There is a well furnished store, 
and some dozen houses, near the hotel. 

Five miles from the Warm Spring you reach the Hot 
Springs. The hotel and the springs, with a large tract of 
land, belong to Dr. Goode, who resides near the premises j 
and being a well educated physician, is consulted by many of 
the persons who visit those baths. The temperature of the 
Spout Bath is 106.° There is a bath also at about the same 
temperature as that at the Warm Springs, that is 98°. — 
These springs, like all the springs of Yirginia, are situated in 
a valley, flanked by high mountains. 

These baths are particularly resorted to by persons afflicted 
with gout, rheumatism, eruptions of the skin, and other disor- 
ders enumerated in the printed accounts of the springs. There 
are two baths, in which the water may be taken at six feet fall 
on any part of the body ; the column of water is three by four 
inches, and when taken at the whole height of the fall, must 
prove beneficial to rheumatic patients, and others where the 
douche is required. As one of the baths is capacious, it is used 
as a swimming bath by the sick, as well as those who are trav- 
elling for pleasure ; and afforded to the writer, great delight, as 
well as benefit. The lodgers are accommodated in cottages, or 
cabins, as they are here called, according to their fancy ; and 
their meals, which are ample and good, are furnished at a com- 
mon table, in the main building. New accommodations for 
lodgers are now preparing, and when finished, will add greatly 
to the comfort of those, who do not like being in houses by 
themselves. 



8 



Thirty-five miles from the Hot Springs, are the celebrated 
White Sulphur Springs, which are visited by those who are 
in search of pleasure, as well as those who are in want of the 
waters. The accommodations for visiters to this place, are 
much more extensive than at any of the other watering places 
in Virginia ; the views are more beautiful, and visiters much 
greater in number, than at the other springs. The amiable 
owner of this delightful spot, though he takes no active part in 
the management of the concern, has an excellent representa- 
tive in his son, Wm. B. Calwell, Esq., who has been fortunate 
in selecting as his principal executive aid, Mr. King, whose 
obliging attentions and courtesy, are acknowledged by all who 
know him. The warm baths are well arranged, and kept 
ready for use ; the cottages have both male and female atten- 
dants, who are attentive to the calls of the inmates at all 
times. Breakfast is served at seven o'clock, where you have 
bread of excellent quality, and great variety, with cold meats, 
tea and coffee. Dinner is served in the same room, where all 
the meals are taken, which is 150 feet long, by 40 feet wide. 
Roast and boiled beef, mutton, venison, ham, &c. &c. supply 
the dinner. It is to be regretted that there is not a greater 
variety of vegetables, but this want will be soon supplied, I 
am told. The rides in the vicinity are pleasant, and the 
roads good. Hackney coaches are kept for those who wish 
them, but as the mail and accommodation coaches move east 
and west every day, private carriages are not much called 
for. As it is not the object of this notice, to name all 
the cases in which those waters are beneficial, I will merely 
point to some of those stated by the resident physician, Dr. 
Moreman, to have been much alleviated, or cured. Dr. M.'s 



9 



pamphlet, descriptive of the cases he alludes to, has been pub- 
lished, and may probably be found at the book stores. Among 
the diseases referred to, are what are called bilious complaints, 
dyspepsia, gravel, and eruptions of the skin. 

The time for visiting the springs of Yirginia, generally, is 
from the 20th of May to the middle of October ; by the 1st of 
June the roads are settled, and although you pass the Blue 
Ridge and the Alleghany, yet they are so well graded, that they 
are passed with as much safety as the hills in our western 
counties. The lines of stages are regular and excellent, and as 
far as my experience goes, driven by careful men. Callahan, 
about half way between the Hot and the White Sulphur, 
is an excellent tavern, and the keeper assiduous to please ; and 
though last, not least, in the months of July and August, are 
assembled at the White Sulphur, from the different States of the 
Union, a company of ladies and gentlemen, who rank high on 
the score of beauty, accomplishments and talents. In June, 
and till my departure in July, the weather was pleasant, 
frequent showers, succeeded by sunshine, more like our 
April than June, though milder -j till 1st of July a little fire 
morning and evening is convenient. The thermometer in June 
was sometimes as low as 47° at sunrise, and at noon, it in some 
cases, rose to 88°. 

The next springs are 24 miles from the White, and are called 
the Salt Sulphur. The accommodations are extensive, the 
table abounding with good food, both animal and vegetable, well 
cooked, and the owners of the springs, Messrs. Caruther and 
Erskine, attentive and obliging. The waters, I am told, do 
2 



10 



not differ materially from those of the White Sulphur ; some 
persons even think them superior to those of the White. 
" Who shall decide, when doctors disagree" ? 

A't the distance of seventeen miles from the Salt Sulphur, 
you reach the Red Sulphur, the medicinal properties of which 
are treated of in the pamphlet, to which these notes are ap- 
pended. This is a beautiful little valley, with good accommo- 
dations for three hundred persons. Dr. Burke is full of atten- 
tion, — does all in his power to make his guests comfortable, — 
has excellent executive officers, and as many waiters as are 
required, both at the cottages and the eating-house. 

In addition to the cases referred to by Dr. Huntt, in the pam- 
phlet annexed, I have had reported to me by my friend, Dr. 
Alexander, an eminent physician of Baltimore, now resident 
at the Springs, two cases of bleeding at the lungs, which came 
under his observation in Maryland, and by him the afflicted 
persons were advised to visit the Red Sulphur, as giving them 
the best chance of recovery. One patient was a blacksmith, 
who, after the residence of a month, returned to his business 
restored to health. The other was a watchmaker, who was 
greatly afflicted with bleeding at the lungs, and which ceased 
after remaining some time at the Red Sulphur ; but upon 
going away, the bleeding returned ; he again visited the 
Springs, with the same result as from the first visit. Since 
then, the Doctor has not heard of, or from him. 

The situation of this valley is more picturesque than any of 



11 



the others. The bases of the hills are not more than 300 feet 
apart, and from the gate to a beautiful hill at the end of the 
site where the houses are placed, does not exceed 500 feet. 
The level ground is laid out in grass plats ; the walks are nice j 
there are excellent warm baths ; a fine band of music ; and 
when I arrived there, there were ninety guests, which, before I 
left the White Sulphur, had increased to one hundred. The 
virtues of this spring are spoken of in the annexed pamphlet, 
and require nothing from me. 

Nine miles from the Red Sulphur, are situated the Grey 
Sulphur. The road is good though hilly. The Springs and 
surrounding lands belong to the gentleman who resides at 
them, who has been relieved from a complaint in the breast 
by the use of those waters. The high mountain range, a 
continuation of the Sweet Spring Mountain, furnishes the 
waters of those springs, and which are not unlike some 
others. 

A pamphlet has been published containing certificates from 
persons of the first character as to the cures which have been 
effected by those waters. Mr. Legare the proprietor, is from 
South Carolina, and is highly esteemed by those who know 
him. The accommodations are not so extensive as at the other 
springs, but will be increased as they are wanted. I passed 
only a day here, and if the table is ordinarily as well furnished 
as when I was there, and of which 1 have no doubt, from re- 
port of others, there is no cause of complaint by sick or well. 



12 

I have thus given a slight notice of the watering places, which 
are on the continuous line. 

The Blue Sulphur Springs lie on the travelled road to 
the Ohio, and are about 22 miles from the White Sulphur. 
The location of those springs is picturesque. The valley is of 
limited extent, the buildings extensive and in good state, and 
the table said to be amongst the best on the west side of the 
Blue Ridge. Here are also good baths ; a band of music ; and, 
in the neighborhood, abundance of deer, bear, &c. &c. I have 
seen no analysis of those waters; no book that I have seen 
treats of them ; but as far as I can learn, they have much the 
character of the White Sulphur Waters. I was much pleased 
with these Springs, and I find that it is not uncommon for 
those who call at them, intending to remain but a night, to 
stay a week. 

The last of the watering places of which I shall speak, is 
the Sweet Spring, belonging to Dr. Lewis, who resides at 
them. The road to these springs from the White Sulphur is sev- 
enteen miles, by a turnpike road, ten miles of which is through 
a valley, the foot of the mountains so nearly meeting, that the 
road is cut through the side of the mountain in many places. 
The other seven miles are through the Valley of the Sweet 
Spring Mountain, which is cultivated, and is now burthened 
with heavy crops of grain, potatoes, and grass. I have seen 
no printed account of these springs ; the account I have of 
them is from a source not to be doubted. These waters were 
discovered before any of the mineral waters in this part of 
Virginia were known, in 1764. In 1773 they began to be 



13 



noticed as a watering place, and in 1774 were analysed by- 
Bishop Madison, then president of William and Mary College, 
but which analysis I have not seen. The water is at 74° 
of Fahrenheit. The baths for both male and female visiters 
are under the same roof, divided by a brick wall in the centre, 
and each about twenty feet square, and the water four and a 
half to five feet deep. In plunging into those waters, there 
is a slight shudder, which in my case, and indeed generally, 
was succeeded by a delightful glow. One is very much in- 
duced to linger in the bath, but five to ten minutes, in most 
cases, are found better than longer. My informant says the 
waters are good in all cases of dyspepsia, in chronic diarrhoea, 
inflammation of the kidneys, in destroying calculus in the blad- 
der ; highly efficacious in diseases incident to females j and in 
many cases where other waters have proved ineffectual, these 
springs are generally visited, after the waters of the other 
springs have been used. They are therefore resorted to more 
after the beginning of August than earlier, and the visiters 
from the south frequently remain here till October. The 
part of the valley where the springs are situated is highly cul- 
tivated, and very productive ; the grounds are beautiful, and 
attention has been paid to preserving the magnificent oaks, 
sugar trees, and others which are on the grounds. 

The residence of visiters has hitherto been in the cabins or 
log houses, which were formerly the dwellings of all who 
visited any of the Yirginia springs. Dr. Lewis has just now 
finished a house which for architectural beauty and accommo- 
dation is superior to any house built for the same use, in the 
United States, that I have seen. It is built of brick, has two 



14 



stories, besides a basement, which is appropriated to kitchen, 
bake and store rooms, with offices for various purposes ; the 
piazza 17 feet wide the whole length of the building, stands 
on brick arches, and is reached by three sets of steps of black 
walnut, the width of each of the three porticoes, by which 
the front of the building is ornamented. The principal story 
has a dining room 160 feet long, at one end of which is a 
ladies drawing-room, and at the other end a dancing room ; 
they are each the whole width of the building, which is 48 
feet, and 40 feet deep. The whole building is completed by 
this time. In the principal story, there are 36 bed-rooms, with 
an entry between them ; they are about 14 feet square. The 
building has quite an imposing appearance. As those baths 
are popular with those who have used them, I am in hopes 
the Doctor has not furnished accommodations beyond what 
are required. 

At all the springs there are other physicians beside those 
who write themselves resident physicians ; most of them 
give professional advice. Dr. Tindall, at the White Sulphur, 
has resided at the different springs, and having been practising 
in this region some eighteen years, is presumed to be as well 
acquainted with the properties of them as any of the medical 
men residing at them. The board and lodging at the Virginia 
springs are about $10 per week. 

For several years past, Dr. James, of Albany, has passed the 
season at the springs, and the present year had under his care 

between twenty and thirty persons from the State of New 



15 



York. He has made the waters his study, and his advice is 
entitled to all confidence. 

As anonymous notices are frequently ascribed to interested 
motives, I have authorized my name to be given to the public, 
which I flatter myself will secure this publication from such 
charge. 

T. H. PERKINS. 

Boston, August, 1839. 



A VISIT 



TO 



THE RED SULPHUR SPRING OF VIRGINIA, 

&c. &c. 



In March, 1837, I was attacked with a slight haemorrhage 
from the lungs, attended with other symptoms indicating a dis- 
eased state of those important organs. For a time, I neglected 
to resort to medical treatment, and continued to pursue my 
professional labors, until warned by my failing strength, that 
the disease was gaining ground. By the application of the 
usual remedies, the violence of the symptoms was soon sub- 
dued, and, in a short time, I felt myself sufficiently restored to 
resume my usual labors ; but, with the exercise, my wonted 
strength did not return ; the cough continued, with occasional 
pain in the chest, and an uneasy sensation of fulness about the 
liver, stomach, and spleen. These symptoms, after a time, 
were attended with increased cough, copious, morbid expecto- 
ration, hectic chills, fever, and night sweats ; my weight was 
reduced from one hundred and thirty-five, to one hundred and 
fifteen pounds. 

Such was my situation, when, about the middle of July, I 

left home for the Red Sulphur Spring, in Virginia. On the 

third evening, I arrived at the Warm Spring, a distance of two 

hundred and thirty miles from Washington ; and immediately 

3 



18 

after getting out of the stage, I plunged into the delightful bath 
of that place, an imprudence against which I would earnestly 
caution all invalids, who arrive after a long journey, with the 
whole system exhausted by fatigue. The consequences in my 
own case warrant me in pronouncing it to be fraught with 
grea't danger. While in the bath, its effects were very grateful 
and pleasant ; but, shortly after leaving it, I became chilly, and 
this feeling was followed by hot skin, intense headache, and 
pain in the chest. After breakfast the next morning, though 
still very unwell, I continued my journey, and arrived before 
night at the White Sulphur Spring, where I remained two 
days, drinking freely of the water, which seemed only to in- 
crease the cough and pain in the chest, and produce an aggra- 
vation of all the other symptoms. Leaving this place on the 
third morning, I passed Union at noon, dined at the Salt Sul- 
phur, and before sunset, arrived at this celebrated fountain, for 
the benefit of whose waters I had left home. The Red Sul- 
phur Spring, is situated in latitude 37° 37',' m Monroe county, 
Virginia, about twenty miles south-west of Union, which is 
the seat of justice for the county. The approach to the vil- 
lage is beautifully romantic and picturesque. Wending his 
way around a high mountain, the weary traveller is for a mo- 
ment charmed out of his fatigue by the sudden view of his 
resting place, some hundreds of feet immediately beneath him. 
Continuing the circuitous descent, he at length reaches a 
ravine, which conducts him, after a few rugged steps, to the 
entrance of a verdant glen, surrounded on all sides by lofty 
mountains. The south end of this enchanting vale, which is 
the widest portion of it, is about two hundred feet in width. 
Its course is nearly north for about one hundred and fifty 
yards, when it begins gradually to contract and change its di- 
rection to the north-west and west, until it terminates in a nar- 
row point. This beautifully secluded Tempe, is the chosen 
site of the village. The north-west portion is occupied by 
stables, carriage houses, and shops of various sorts ; the shout- 
ern portion, just at the base of the east and west mountains, is 



19 

that upon which stand the various edifices for the accommo- 
dation of visiters. These buildings are spacious and conve- 
niently arranged ; the servants are prompt and obedient ; and 
the " Table d'Hote" is abundantly supplied with every variety 
of viands that can tempt the appetite. The promenades, 
which are neatly enclosed by a white railing, are beautifully 
embellished; and shaded from the mid-day sun by indigenes of 
the forest, the large umbrageous sugar maple, (the acer saccha- 
rinum. ) The Spring is situated at the south-west point of the 
valley, and the water is collected into two white marble foun- 
tains, over which is thrown a substantial cover. 

At the distance of a few hundred yards from the Red 
Sulphur Spring, up the south ravine, there is another spring, 
supposed to be a Chalybeate of a singular character. My 
situation did not permit me to make a satisfactory examination 
of its water, but I should be highly gratified to know the par- 
ticular character of the water of this spring. 

The forest trees of the eastern and western mountains, have 
been cut down by Mr. Burke, the present worthy proprietor 
of the Spring, so that this delightful glen enjoys the purifying 
influence of the sun from seven o'clock in the morning until 
near five in the afternoon, which makes the grounds much 
drier than they formerly were, and less liable to morning fogs. 
Regular stages, or post coaches, arrive here daily, both from 
the north and south. It is but justice to the amiable and intel- 
ligent proprietor, to say, that the improvements he has made, 
within the short period of four years since he has had the con- 
trol, give assurance that, should he live a few years longer, the 
Red Sulphur Spring will not be excelled by any of the numer- 
ous places of resort among the salubrious mountains of the 
Old Dominion, either in magnificence of scenery, beauty ; taste, 
comfort or health. 

On the evening of my arrival at the Spring, I commenced 
the use of its water. The next day, during a violent par- 
oxysm of coughing, a coagulum of blood was discharged from 
the lungs, which was followed by considerable haemorrhage. 



20 

After this, the cough became less troublesome, but the evening 
exacerbations of fever, and the night sweats continued, my 
pulse beating a hundred and fifteen strokes in a minute. I 
confined myself to a low diet, and drank six glasses of the 
water during the day, namely, two before breakfast, one at 11, 
A. M., one at 5, P. M., and two at bed time. The water acted 
freely on the bowels, and particularly on the secretions of the 
liver. In ten days, the abdominal viscera were entirely re- 
lieved, the pulse reduced to seventy-eight ; and the fever and 
night sweats had ceased. The quantity of water was now in- 
creased to twelve glasses during the day, taken at the same 
hours, but in double doses. It acted very gently on the bow- 
els and skin, but most powerfully as a diuretic. Thus it ap- 
pears that in small quantities the water acted freely on the 
bowels, and but little on the kidneys, while in larger quanti- 
ties, it acted freely on the latter, and scarcely affected the for- 
mer. In fact, I could direct its action to the one or the other, 
at pleasure, by increasing or diminishing the quantity. My 
cough became better, but my strength still continued feeble, 
owing to my extremely low diet, and the copious action of the 
water. Unfortunately I took but little exercise, which I deem 
all important while using the waters. 

After a residence of three weeks at the Spring, and the con- 
stant use of the water during that time, to the manifest allevia- 
tion of the most pressing symptoms of my complaint, I was 
unexpectedly called home, in consequence of the illness of a 
member of my family. In the commencement of my home- 
ward journey, my weak state compelled me to make very short 
stages ; but as soon as I had crossed the mountains, and re- 
sumed my usual mode of diet, my appetite and strength re- 
turned rapidly, and I completed the distance of three hundred 
and six miles, in five days, without feeling the slightest incon- 
venience. The water seemed to produce its good effects in 
the improvement of my health for months after I had left the 
Spring. 

In a conversation with Mr. Harvey, a plain, honest, and sen- 



21 

sible man, who was the former proprietor of the Red Sulphur 
Spring, I gathered the following facts, which I give in his own 
words. He stated, " that he had lived at and about the place 
for upwards of forty-three years. The Spring was first visi- 
ted by the neighbors for itch, sore legs, and other inveterate 
diseases of the skin, which were always cured by drinking the 
water, and rubbing the parts affected with the muddy deposite. 
About thirty-six years ago. Dr. John Cabell, of Lynchburgh, 
Va., was the first person who visited the Spring for a cough, 
and disease of the throat, attended with chills and fevers. He 
remained here several weeks, and returned home much better. 
The next season, several other persons came, with cough and 
every appearance of consumption. Afterwards, the number of 
visiters afflicted with this disease increased every year. There 
are many persons now living, within my knowledge, (said Mr. 
Harvey,) and enjoying excellent health, who visited this 
Spring many years ago, to all appearance in the last stage of 
consumption. The visiters who were most benefited by the 
water, remained here five or six weeks ; confined themselves 
to a diet of rye mush and milk ; and were industrious in ris- 
ing early, drinking the water and taking exercise. Others 
who indulged themselves in eating, sleeping late in the morn- 
ing, and lounging about during the day, derived but little ad- 
vantage from the use of the water, and generally returned 
home dissatisfied. The cold plunging, or shock bath, was 
used in those days with decided advantage. I never knew a 
case injured by the use of the cold bath. Many cases of 
dropsy visited the Spring, and I never knew an instance where 
they were not relieved by the use of the water. One of my 
neighbors was cured many years ago by the use of this water, 
and now enjoys excellent health. I have known many per- 
sons affected with complaints of the liver and bowels com- 
pletely relieved by the Red Sulphur Water. From the first of 
May to the middle of November is the proper time for using 
the water to advantage, but I think it strongest in its various 
virtues during the months of September and October." 



22 

The following was presented to me by Dr. Saunders, the 
resident physician, as an analysis of the Red Sulphur Water, 
made at the Spring by Professor Rogers, the Geologist of Vir- 
ginia j but it certainly does not satisfactorily account for the 
wonderful effects of the water. 

" Temperature of the spring, 54° Fahr. 
" Gaseous contents in an imperial gallon. 
" Sulphuretted Hydrogen, 4. 54, cub, in. 
" Carbonic acid, - 8. 75. 

"Nitrogen, - - 4.25. 

" Solid contents of 32 cubic inches of water, gr. 1. 25, con- 
sisting of sulphate of soda, lime and magnesia, carbonate of 
lime, and muriate of soda. Besides these ingredients, the wa- 
ter contains, in considerable quantity, a peculiar organic sub- 
stance, which, mingled with sulphur, is deposited on the sides 
of the spring, and seems to increase by a species of organic 
growth." 

The Red Sulphur Water is decidedly sedative in its effects. 
It subdues chronic inflammation, tranquilizes irritation, and 
reduces the frequency of the pulse in the most astonishing 
manner. 

It has been considered peculiarly adapted to the cure of pul- 
monary diseases, and it is true, that it has a most beneficial 
influence in most cases of this disease j but its good effects 
equally extend to all cases of sub-acute inflammation, whether 
seated in the stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, kidneys, blad- 
der, and most particularly in the mucous membrane. In fact, 
nature never yet gave to man, a remedy, capable of more ex- 
tensive application, nor better calculated to relieve a larger 
class of diseases. 

It is not uncommon for persons to arrive at the Spring, who 
have not been able to sleep during the night, even with the 
aid of opium, and who, after drinking the water for a few 
days, find their nervous irritation so soothed and allayed that 
no other anodyne is required to procure them full repose for the 
night. This fact is so striking, that a young lady of this 



23 

place, in writing to her father from the Red Sulphur, face- 
tiously styles it " Sleepy Hollow." The soporific effect of 
the water, was most forcibly exemplified in the case of Mr. C. 
Smith, of Georgetown, D. 0., a gentleman of the highest res- 
pectability, who had been for some time laboring under chronic 
laryngitis, and had not enjoyed sleep for months, even with 
the aid of large doses of morphia. He arrived at the Red 
Sulphur a few days after myself, and immediately commenced 
a free use of the water ; the third night after his arrival, he 
slept soundly all night, without either coughing, or turning in 
bed, and not only continued to sleep well every night during 
the use of the water, but was compelled from the drowsy feel- 
ing which it produced, to indulge himself in more than one 
nap during the day. 

In a letter, dated some years ago at this Spring, from the 
late F. W. Gilmer, Esq., Professor of Law in the University 
of Yirginia, he says : " These waters are far superior to all 
others. In a few hours they allayed my congh so as to take 
away all that was unpleasant in it. They diffuse a sense of 
coolness, freshness, and newer life over the whole system. 
They abate the pulse most rapidly, remove fever, lubricate and 
soften whatever is hard and dry, make one sleep as though he 
had taken an anodyne — are the safest of all waters — and, in- 
deed, have no ill quality." 

The late venerable Dr. R. H. Bradford, of Va., who prac- 
tised medicine for many years at the Red Sulphur, in a com- 
munication on the subject of the water, remarks : " The effect 
of this water in reducing the frequency of the pulse, is one of 
the numerous, singular, and powerful properties belonging to 
it. It lessens arterial action to such a degree, that it seldom 
fails to remove fever, difficulty of breathing, and pain in the 
chest. When the patient is restricted to a proper regimen, this 
water may be taken with greater advantage, in all pulmonary 
cases, than any other remedy I have ever seen employed for 
that purpose. It is also an important remedy in enlarged liver 



24 

and spleerij and in diseases of the mucous membrane gener- 
ally." 

The Rev. W. M. Green, a pious, good man, of Hillsboro, 
North Carolina, makes the following communication, dated Oc- 
tober 15th, 1837. " In the month of March, 1830, (being 
then in my 32d year,) I was taken with a distressing cough 
which would scarcely permit me to speak half a dozen words 
successively without interruption. The attack was doubtless 
the effect of much exposure in travelling the preceding win- 
ters, hastened and aggravated by certain symptoms of dyspep- 
sia, which had been increasing upon me for some months pre- 
vious. The symptoms of my disease, when first taken down, 
and for a long time after, were an incessant, hacking cough, 
and clearing cf the throat without expectoration, a sense of 
choking or suffocation in the lower part of the larynx, which 
afterwards became inflamed and painful — a pulse varying from 
100 to 120 strokes in a minute — a stricture across the breast, 
preventing full inspiration — dark greenish stools — lateritious 
urine, copious, and exhausting night sweats — sleeplessness — 
great nervous irritability — a craving appetite, with oppression 
after eating — insatiable thirst — frequent involuntary sighing, 
and more or less fever during the day, especially in the after- 
noon. 

" The medicines, first administered, were brown mixture 
and other expectorants of similar kind, together with the free 
use of tartar emetic ointment. My disease, however, seemed 
to gather force, until a temporary check was given by the ex- 
hibition of calomel in broken doses, until salivation was pro- 
duced, which alleviated some of the most distressing symp- 
toms. As soon as I had regained sufficient strength for the 
journey, I set out with a kind friend to spend a few weeks 
near the sea-coast. The trip, however, was without sensible 
benefit, owing to the prevalence at the time of raw easterly 
winds, and I returned to all appearance the same, if not worse 
than on leaving home. 

" Having heard much of the efficacy of the Red Sulphur 



25 

Water, I determined to try them. Accordingly, leaving home 
early in July, I reached that place about the 10th, confining 
myself closely to the use of the water, and of the sulphur 
shower bath for nine weeks. I had not been at the Spring 
more than two days, before I began to experience a favorable 
influence on my system generally, as well as an amelioration 
of some of the principal symptoms of my complaint. My 
pulse soon felt the ivondcr-ivorking power of that mysterious 
temp est- stilling agent which resides in those waters. Arterial 
action was greatly reduced — the nervous system composed — 
the cough brought down to a mere fractional part of its former 
proportions — digestion improved — sleep restored — urine ren- 
dered colorless — the stricture across the breast less oppressive — 
night-sweats lessened — -in a word, every painful and dangerous 
feature of the disease was moderated, and time allowed to 
nature to shake off the enemy. The two most striking effects 
produced by fhe use of this water were the evident reduction 
of arterial action, at the same time that the general system was 
recovering its tone, and the total extinguishment of that burn- 
ing thirst, which had been tormenting me for more than twelve 
months. I hesitate not to state here, what may appear in- 
credible to many, that, for nearly six months after I returned 
home, I felt no symptom of thirst, whereas, before my going 
to the Spring, scarcely fifteen minutes would elapse during 
the day, between my calls for water. This latter effect was 
still more strikingly experienced in the case of Rev. Mr. H**t, 
of Halifax county, Va., who assured me after visiting this 
Spring a single season he remained eighteen months a stran- 
ger to thirst. As to the effect on my pulse, although it was 
decidedly marked, and beneficial, yet, there were other cases 
under my own observation of still more striking character. One 
I distinctly remember, that of a Mr Boal, a young Irishman, 
residing in Lynchburgh, Ya. He came to the Spring by the 
advice of his physicians, who saw in him the well-know symp- 
toms of pulmonary disease. On his arrival, the average stroke 
of his pulse was from 110 to 120 in a minute. In three days, 
4 



26 

without the aid of any other means than the free use of the 
water, it was reduced to the healthful beat of 65 strokes in a 
minute. The case of Mrs. B****r, of Raleigh, is no less re- 
markable j such was the effect of the water on her arterial 
system, that a single glass was known to reduce the pulse 
10 beats in a minute. 

" My usual habit was to drink three or four glasses of the 
water before breakfast — three at 11 or 12 o'clock — two about 
5 o'clock in the afternoon, and two on going to bed. I am 
convinced that what was taken late at night, and very early 
in the morning, was more efficacious, than all the rest taken 
during the day. My exercise consisted in a ride of three miles 
before breakfast on horseback, another about sun-set in my 
carriage, and in the interval an occasional game at the shuffle- 
board, a game, which though not very refined, is unquestion- 
ably admirably adapted to exercise a weak chest. 

M It may be well to mention here that, on my return home, 
my appearance was so little improved, as to produce the im- 
pression among my friends, that my trip had been without 
benefit. Nor was the improvement which really had been 
produced, perceived in its extent, even by myself until I had 
been at home a week or two. I mention this, for the encour- 
agement of other invalids, who return home dejected and hope- 
less, because they do not experience the immediate good effect 
of this and the other sulphur waters. That effect is in many 
cases felt only after the fatigue of the journey is over, and the 
noisy bustle of the watering place forgotten amidst the com- 
fort and quiet of home. I will only add, that after my return. 
I was enabled occasionally to occupy my pulpit, and to enjoy 
the society of my friends. 

" The next season I sought the mountains again, but finding 
my pulmonary symptoms, in a great measure removed, and 
my dyspepsia but little abated, I spent the greater part of my 
time at the White Sulphur. A third visit two years after the 
second, served to remove every unpleasant symptom and put 
the blessing of health once more in my reach. At this moment, 



27 

the only remnant of disease, which all my friends, and nearly 
all my physicians pronounced to be phthisis pulmonalis, is an 
appetite which often needs the bridle of just moderation. 

" To Him, who preserved me, be all honor and praise." 

Mr. James Boal. of Lynchburgh, who lost two brothers by 
pulmonary consumption, in a communication dated Red Sul- 
phur, August 5th, 1837, states : " A change of life from being 
an active farmer, to that of a sedentary store keeper, produced 
constipation, and general debility, (especially in my arms and 
knees,) a dry tickling sensation in the throat, slight cough, 
and but little expectoration. The tightness increased, until 
on riding a refractory horse, I had an attack of haemorrhage ; 
the discharge at first was pretty copious of a scarlet frothy 
appearance, moderating to a mixture of bloody phlegm. My 
nights were passed with but little sleep, and that disturbed by 
troublesome dreams. In the month of June, 1828, had an at- 
tack of diarrhoea, and was very much reduced. About the 
1st of July, 1828, I visited the Red Sulphur Spring ; my pulse, 
on my arrival, (when free from excitement,) was about 120 
pulsations in a minute — commenced drinking the water, and 
in one week, my pulse was reduced to 65 strokes in a minute, 
with an improvement in my strength and feelings generally. 
Supposing my cure effected, 1 omitted the use of the water a 
few days, and found my pulse increasing in frequency. I 
again used it three weeks longer, when my pulse was reduced 
to its former standard, of 65 strokes in a minute. My course 
of diet — for breakfast, dried toast and boiled milk, or black 
tea • for dinner, a little venison, or mutton, rice, or cold wheat 
bread ; for supper, cold rye-mush and milk, always guarding 
against rich sauces or pastry ; took exercise in the open air. 
My plan was, to drink freely, say six or eight glasses of the 
water before breakfast, keeping in constant motion. The 
general operation of the water was that of a diuretic, and by 
taking exercise, perspiration was very copious ; my bowels 
were regular, once a day, and have continued so (except from 
casual indisposition,) ever since. I visited the Red Sulphur in 



28 

the summer of 1829, and had my general health so completely 
restored, that I am now here in August, 1837, on a visit to my 
old friend and benefactor, in perfect health." 

The following communication is from Chief Justice Taney, 
of the Supreme Court, U. $., dated Baltimore, Jan. 8, 1838 : 

" The information you have received as to the benefit de- 
rived from the Red Sulphur Spring by Mrs. Taney and my- 
self, is correct. We spent six weeks or more there, in the sum- 
mer of 1835, and both of us were in bad health, when we 
went there. The journey however was undertaken on Mrs. 
Taney's account, and by the advice of Dr. Potter and Dr. 
Buckler. Her health had been failing for several years, and 
her lungs were supposed to be seriously threatened. She com- 
plained of a pain in her breast, coughed a good deal, and had 
an excited and quick pulse. The alarming symptoms were 
entirely removed by her visit to the Red Sulphur, and she has 
since enjoyed her ordinary health. It is proper perhaps to 
remark, that although Mrs. Taney felt in some degree the 
benefit of the water, while she remained at the Spring, yet 
we were not sensible of the extent of the improvement, until 
some time after our return home. Both of us have since had 
much better health, than we had known for years before, and 
we both have great confidence in the efficacy of those waters, 
and I may add, retain a lively recollection of the kind atten- 
tions of Mr. and Mrs. Burke, while we remained there." 

The following four cases were communicated by a distin- 
guished physician of South Carolina, who passed the summers 
of 1822-23, and part of 24 at the Red Sulphur Spring, and 
whose name commands as much respect and confidence as that 
of any other gentleman in the Southern country : 

" I shall give you a few of the very many cases, that have 
come under my notice of the efficacy of the Red Sulphur wa- 
ter in pulmonary diseases. This is due to the community, 
and also to the intelligent proprietor, who unites in himself the 
good manners and politeness of a gentleman, with the capacity 
and disposition to add all that he can to the comfort, both of 



29 

the valetudinarian and traveller who may be in pursuit of 
pleasure." 

Case 1. " In the winter of 1821, it became the duty of B. 
H. to devote himself to his friend A. B., far advanced in pul- 
monary disease. B. H. was in good health, and not in the 
slightest degree predisposed to pulmonary consumption, either 
by figure or inheritance. A. B. died during this winter with 
the tuberculous form of this disease. In the spring B. H. be- 
gan to feel pains in the chest and sides, and frequently to have 
a tickling sensation about the epiglottis. In July a slight 
cough made its appearance, and after a week or ten days was 
followed by an attack of haemoptysis. The use of the lancet, 
low diet, and some mild expectorant afforded so much relief, 
that the usual occupation of B. H. was resumed. In August 
another attack more severe was experienced, and a troublesome 
cough excited more alarm. The usual remedies were used, 
and with relief. In September, a severe attack ensued, a large 
vessel was ruptured, nearly a pint of blood was thrown up 
from the lungs, and great emaciation took place. The cough 
could not be checked, and in October B. H. sailed for the Is- 
land of Cuba, with little expectation of ever returning j but 
his situation was improved by the mild winter of this delight- 
ful climate. In April, 1822, he returned to Carolina, still 
coughing. His situation now became very alarming to his 
friends, and it was decided that a trip to Virginia should be 
tried. B. H. rode through the western parts of North Carolina 
and East Tennessee, and came into Western Virginia at Abing- 
ton, and reached the Red Sulphur early in June. At this time 
I was called upon to visit him, and found his pulse 106, cough 
troublesome, pains in the chest, appetite very variable, tongue 
preternaturally clean, bowels much disordered and irregular, 
skin dry and feverish about noon. I directed three tumblers 
of water to be taken at bed-time, four before breakfast, and as 
many as were necessary to satisfy thirst during other times 
of the day. In two weeks, the pulse was reduced to 84, 78, 
and then 75 ; the cough was very much diminished, the pains 



30 

in the breast were gradually disappearing. The digestion be- 
came good, the bowels regular, the skin more comfortable, and 
the appearance of the patient much improved. The diet was 
very simple, and the greatest attention was paid both to the 
quality and quantity of it — tea and coffee were abandoned — 
hominy, rice, or rye-mush, with milk, constituted the breakfast 
• — a small portion of mutton or venison, with rice, made the 
dinner, and a dry toast and water, the supper. At the end of 
five weeks, B. H. left the Spring perfectly renovated, and ap- 
parently quite well, having gained fifteen pounds in weight. 

" In 1823 and 24, he again visited the Spring, and remained 
several weeks ; he was not sick, but unwell, and returned to 
the Spring rather to confirm, than to renew his health. To 
use his own words, he returned to the Red Sulphur, as to an 
old friend, to whom he was under great obligations. To the 
present moment he has been in the enjoyment of excellent 
health. This is a strong case. The circumstances of it au- 
thorize me to make it stronger, but I am unwilling to excite 
any doubts of the value of the Spring, by writing extravagant- 
ly of its water." 

Case 2. u Mr. J. S. of Mississippi, reached the Red Sulphur 
Spring in July, 1822. I being the only physician on the spot, 
was requested to visit him professionally. I found my patient 
the most emaciated object I ever saw to be moving from place 
to place. The history of his case as learned from himself was 
very concise. He had been a soldier at New Orleans, and bore 
his share in the dangers and difficulties of the campaign, had 
suffered much from exposure, and at the close of the war was 
like the rest of the volunteers sent home, and like many others, 
was the worse for the services he had rendered. His constitu- 
tion was shattered, and he had been more or less an invalid, 
until within a few months previous to his arrival at the Red 
Sulphur. A severe cold had left him with a cough, and after 
a while, this had been succeeded by hasmoptysis of a most 
alarming character — repeated attacks left him without strength 
and without hope. He had no hereditary predisposition to 



31 

pulmonary disease. He had been on the road for some time, 
and seldom travelled more than five miles a day. His cough 
was very distressing, pulse quick to the touch, and counting 
125 in a minute, night sweats and diarrhoea, pains in the chest, 
and very hurried respiration with profuse expectoration, all 
presented themselves. To me, this seemed a hopeless case, 
and, as I thought, beyond the reach of the profession. A large 
blister was applied to the chest, an expectorant mixture was 
prescribed — a table spoonful to be taken whenever the cough 
was troublesome. He was directed to commence with the 
water in small quantities, (for I was fearful of increasing the 
diarrhoea.) He took two tumblers at bed-time, and two in the 
morning early. Upon visiting him the next day, I was inform- 
ed that he had passed a comfortable night, comparatively 
speaking — had slept several hours, and was not as much ha- 
rassed as usual, either by the bowels, or cough. He was di- 
rected to live upon rice and milk, dry toast, and weak tea. 
The quantity of water was increased another tumbler. This 
plan was persisted in, as my notes show, for ten or twelve 
days, with a gradual improvement in the case. After this 
time, the water was increased to eight, and sometimes ten 
tumblers in the day — the pulse was soon reduced in force and 
frequency, and the cough much mitigated. The sweats at 
length ceased, and the diarrhoea disappeared. The effect of 
the water upon the pulse in this case was very remarkable ; it 
seemed to control it, as you would the horse with the bridle ; 
the patient was so sensible of this, that he used to laugh, and 
say, if he took an over-dose of the ivater, his pulse, he believ- 
ed, toould cease entirely. He rode on horseback at the end of 
a few weeks, ten miles without inconvenience — his weight was 
very much increased, and he thought himself well. In six 
weeks after his arrival, he left the Spring, certainly more im- 
proved than any one I had ever seen, with no symptoms of 
disease remaining except the cough, and that very much miti- 
gated. In 1823, Mr. J. S. returned to the Spring, and I saw 
him daily ; he stated that he had continued well until March, 



32 

when a sudden change of weather, for which he was not pre- 
pared, a catarrhal affection, upon the subsidence of which, a 
cough, and much debility ensued. He remained for three 
weeks, and again left us in good health, with the exception of 
a cough, which was by no means troublesome. From this 
period, I have heard nothing of Mr. J. S., but am persuaded, 
that he recovered entirely." 

Case 3. " Mr. J. C. of North Carolina, was directed to go to 
the Virginia Springs by his medical adviser, in 1823 ; but was 
left to find out the particular Spring that was adapted to his 

case. I was on a visit to the Spring, and found Mr. 

J. C, who, upon hearing that I was a medical man, asked for 
advice. He was of a robust habit originally, (as he stated,) 
and was most unexpectedly attacked by haemoptysis, whilst in 
the midst of his usual occupations, which were mercantile. 
His strength was at this time considerable — his pulse fall and 
strong, respiration laborious and painful, skin dry, appetite in- 
ordinate, and the cough allowing him no rest at night. I used 
the lancet very freely, limited the diet to bread and milk, and 
water, and desired him to remain quiet. Upon the ensuing 
day, the lancet was again used freely, the symptoms not being 
mitigated ; on the third day, there was little or no improve- 
ment, and I desired him to proceed to the Red Sulphur, and 
use the water in full doses — say, four tumblers before bed-time, 
and four before breakfast — to live low, to take no exercise, and 
be as quiet as possible. In a week or ten days, I returned to 
the Red Sulphur, and the first person that greeted me, was 
Mr. J. O.j his symptoms had all subsided, which the lancet had 
failed to control, and yielded at once to the use of the water. 
This is certainly a most remarkable property in this water, but 
it is so well known to the surrounding country, as well as to 
numerous persons who have visited the Spring, that we incur 
no risk in making the statement we have. It is also peculiar 
to the water, that, although on the lowest diet, the strength 
improves, and the weight is uniformly increased. After some 
few weeks, Mr. J. C. returned home, restored to the enjoyment 



3 



Q 



of health, and [ have never heard of his return to the Spring, 
which he would certainly have done, had it been necessary to 
do so. I could go on, my dear sir, and add case after case, but 
it is unnecessary to do so ; the reputation of the Spring is too 
well established, to require any eulogy. I will add one more 
case, and that, not of a pulmonary character, in which the wa- 
ter of the Red Sulphur evinced all the virtues that I have 
attributed to it in the cases stated." 

Case 4. " Gen. P. from Prince Edward county in Yirginia, 
arrived at the Red Sulphur Spring, in August, 1823, so much 
swollen as to be taken from his carriage with difficulty. The 
face, hands, feet, and legs, were swollen to an enormous size ; 
the abdomen was absolutely pendulous, and the whole appear- 
ance indicated dropsy in its most terrible form. The bowels 
were torpid ; the urine scanty, and high colored ; the appetite 
bad, and the digestion worse ; sleep was disturbed and painful 
from the inability to lay down, and the strength reduced, and 
daily becoming less. 

" The General seemed in much better spirits than could 
have been expected, and stated, that he had come there on a 
former occasion quite as sick, as we then saw him, and that 
he had reason to have all confidence in the water. No medi- 
cine was taken, but the water was used in such quantities as 
the stomach would bear. In a few days the bowels became 
loose, and at the same time, the kidneys began to secrete, and 
pour forth urine in large quantities. The swelling of course 
began to subside, and all the functions to assume a more 
healthy tone and character. The General remained until the 
latter end of September, and returned home apparently in good 
health. The patient whose case has been stated, lived in a 
fever and ague country, and had suffered much from this dis- 
ease ; his liver was certainly very much deranged in function, 
if not in structure ; his physician at home had pronounced it 
an incurable case of hepatitis, and did not think he could reach 
the Spring. 

" In '24 I saw the General at the Spring again, his health 
5 



34 

was apparently good, but he complained of indisposition, and 
certainly improved during his residence at the Red Sulphur. 
I have thus, my dear sir, made from my notes the statements 
herewith sent you ; I could multiply them to a considerable 
extent, but it is useless as they all go to prove the same thing, 
viz. the influence that the Red Sulphur Water exercises over 
the arterial system. I shall not attempt to reason on the sub- 
ject, it would be satisfactory to me, if I could account for the 
facts, but it is sufficient for me that the facts do exist." 

" I do not wish to be understood as stating that the water 
of the Red Sulphur will cure confirmed phthisis, or tubercu- 
lous consumption ; but I believe that we are very often mis- 
taken in supposing a case of pulmonary irritation more desper- 
ate, and hopeless, than it really is, and I believe that in most 
cases, if this Spring is resorted to, early, and the clothing, and 
diet, and exercise duly attended to, its water will be found a 
most powerful adjunct, and assistant in the management of 
these hitherto, unmanageable cases." 

During my visit to the Red Sulphur, every day was devoted 
to the investigation of the various diseases which afflicted the 
visiters at that- place ; noting particularly the effects of the 
water in the different diseases. 

Most of the cases were various forms of pulmonary con- 
sumption. In the earliest stage of tuberculous disease, the 
patients generally complained of abdominal plethora with 
cough, some oppression, and restless nights, with frequent 
pulse. In all these cases, where the water was taken in such 
quantities as to operate on the bowels for a week or ten days, 
and afterwards increasing the quantity so as to act freely as a 
diuretic, and the patients were abstemious in their diet, and took 
exercise regularly, a rapid improvement was most generally the 
consequence. On the contrary, those who used but little ex- 
ercise, and indulged their appetite without restraint, were slow 
and tedious in their convalescence. Let it be impressed on 
the mind of all tuberculous patients, that sedentary habits are 
among the most powerful causes of tuberculous diseases. 



35 

Many persons arrive at the Red Sulphur, who are not pre- 
pared to use the water, in consequence of high inflammation, 
or congestion of the lungs, or other organs, attended with pain 
in the side, constriction at the breast, or hot, and restless 
nights, with a quick, sharp pulse ; all such cases must have 
the vascular excitement subdued, before the water can be taken 
with any advantage. I saw several of those cases under the 
management of Dr. Saunders, the resident physician of the 
place, who treated them very successfully, by means of bleed- 
ing, local and general — emetics of ipecac before bed-time — 
blisters, and occasionally the blue pill. 

Most of the visiters at the Red Sulphur this season were 
laboring under tuberculous consumption, of the second, or 
middle stage ; many of them had visited the Spring one or two 
seasons, and there was scarcely an exception among them, who 
had not experienced one or more attacks of haemoptysis ; and 
hcemoptysis may generally be considered as an indication of 
tubercles in the lungs. Those who had visited the Spring 
before, would say, that they returned home apparently cured, 
cough, night sweats, expectoration, frequent pulse, all relieved ; 
a good appetite restored, and flesh increasing daily. Towards 
the spring season the pulmonary symptoms would commence 
to kindle up again, and by June or July, it would become ne- 
cessary to repeat the visit to the Red Sulphur ; although the 
symptoms were much less aggravated, and the constitution 
much less enfeebled than during the previous season. 

The water of the Red Sulphur seems to act by soothing 
irritation, lessening the frequency of the pulse, and by subdu- 
ing the inflammation of the tissues in contact with the tuber- 
cles ; and thereby rendering the tubercles harmless ; and also 
by suspending that tendency of the system to generate, or de- 
posite tuberculous matter. It is not unusual in post mortem 
examinations to discover tubercles in the lungs of subjects, 
who had never exhibited any signs of pulmonary disease dur- 
ing their lifetime ; and in visiting the slaughter houses of 
butchers, we have been astonished to observe numerous tu« 



'* 



36 



bercles in the liver and lungs of animals, particularly the hog, 
and the sheep, which were fat, and otherwise in a healthy 
condition. 

"Dr. Carswell," says Dr. James Clark, " has remarked it 
as an important fact, that the mucous and serous tissues in con- 
tact with the tuberculous matter are often found in a healthy 
condition, while this continues, tubercles may remain an in- 
definite length of time in their original state, or the softer part 
of the tubercle may be absorbed, leaving the more solid calca- 
reous portion only in its site, a termination which occurs more 
commonly, I believe, than is generally supposed." 

Among this description of patients who had visited the Red 
Sulphur two seasons, was Mr. Jacob S. King, of Henry county, 
Va., who stated that he was taken ill with an influenza in Feb- 
ruary, 1835, followed by pulmonary symptoms of a serious 
character. " About the 7th of August following," says Mr. 
King, " I arrived at the Red Sulphur Spring, laboring under 
diarrhoea with acute pain in both sides, so much so, that I 
could not remain on either side for one minute at a time with- 
out great suffering. My pulse was from 120 to 130 in a 
minute, and my cough very troublesome. The second day 
after my arrival at the Red Sulphur, I was freely cupped and 
leeched on both sides, and at night took a pill composed of 
morphine, ipecac, and blue mass. The third morning I took 
an emetic of ipecacuanha. My diet was simply one glass of 
milk, and a piece of stale light bread, three times a day for 
fourteen days, and drank the water freely, during this period. 
I gained a pound of flesh daily, and my pulse was reduced to 
76 in a minute — my cough, strength, and general feelings 
were very much improved— bowels entirely regular, and in 
good condition. I am now at the Red Sulphur, August, 
1837, enjoying much better health than in 1835 ; my cough 
being but very slight, although my health is entirely restored." 

The cases generally, laboring under this stage of pulmonary 
disease, improved in their health, particularly, if they remained 
long enough at the Spring, restricted themselves to a proper 



37 

diet, and took sufficient exercise ; but there were a few among 
them, who took little, or no exercise, and gave unlimited in- 
dulgence to an inordinate appetite. In such cases, I took no 
interest, and observed but little change in their appearance. 

On examining the visiters laboring under pulmonary disease, 
I observed that all those patients who drank the water so as to 
act freely on the bowels, for any length of time did not improve 
in their health, because active purging is not proper for the 
lungs in this disease. The water must be drunk in such 
quantities as to act freely on the kidneys. There seems to be 
an intimate association* between the lungs and the kidneys, 
and the kidneys seem to be the great emunctories by Avhich 
the lungs are relieved in all pulmonary diseases ; this idea has 
been repeatedly suggested to me, in my attendance on patients 
laboring under this disease ; on inquiring into their condition, 
they have frequently said, " I feel much better to-day, I have 
had a most copious flow of urine which has afforded me great 
relief." This view of the connexion between the lungs and 
kidneys, has been confirmed by witnessing the diuretic effects 
of the Red Sulphur water in pulmonary diseases ; I have a 
friend who is a physician, and who has labored, more or less, 
under pulmonary disease for twenty years. He informed me 
that whenever his lungs were disturbed by irritation, he al- 
ways resorted to " cooling diuretic medicines for relief." 

There were but few persons laboring under the third or 
last stage of tuberculous disease, who visited the Red Sulphur 
this season, and among those few, there was scarcely a case 
that derived any advantage from the use of the water. When 
tuberculous disease arrives at this stage, and the constitution 
is broken down, it is not only useless but cruel to send the 
patient to the Red Sulphur. I am sorry to say, that several of 
my patients in this condition, by my advice, visited the Red 
Sulphur this season, and I witnessed the bad effects of the 
water in their cases, as well as in the cases of others of a simi- 

* This association seems to exist also between the heart and the kidneys, as manifested 
during the use of the water in several cases of diseases of the heart. 



38 

lar character. They were laboring under that peculiar irrita- 
tion, and perhaps ulceration of the bowels, so common in this 
stage of the disease ; they were unable to drink but a small 
quantity of the water, and the consequence was, that the 
bowels were purged and griped, the secretion of the kidneys 
was not increased, and the patients grew worse daily. 

The following case of rheumatism of the heart, was com- 
municated by Wallace Allen, Esq. of Richmond, Ya.. dated 
February 15, 1838 : 

" For some years I was a martyr to rheumatic affections, 
and finding no permanent relief from the various remedies, 
proposed either by my friends or attending physicians, I was 
induced as a dernier resort to visit the Hot Spring in the sum- 
mer of 1821. After remaining there eighteen days, I found 
my health so far restored, as to deem a longer stay unneces- 
sary. From that period, my health, though not robust, suffered 
little apparent declension until 1835, when I began to expe- 
rience a change of feeling, commencing with irregular and in- 
ordinate action of the heart. That organ, being evidently 
enlarged, and its vessels, together with the whole arterial sys- 
tem, suffering great derangement, and producing violent palpi- 
tations. During the latter part of that year, and beginning of 
the next, my disease gained ground to an alarming extent. I 
became listless, and inactive. My mental faculties seemed 
obscured in a cloud, and my physical energies so prostrated, 
that an entire suspension of my regular pursuits became im- 
perious ; under these circumstances, I consulted a medical gen- 
tleman of great eminence residing in Philadelphia, who, after 
minute investigation, pronounced my disease rheumatism of 
the heart, and prescribed, as the only means of cure, moderate 
exercise, meager diet, and a trip to the Hot Spring. At this 
time the symptoms were so severe, as almost to threaten the 
extinction of life — intense throbbing of the temporal arteries, 
great debility, and depression of spirits were the characteristic 
features of my complaint. In the month of July, 1837, 1 visited 
the Hot Spring, where I remained thirty days, and experienced 



39 

considerable alleviation. I then determined on removing to 
the Red Sulphur, thinking to test, by my own observations 
and experience, the high renown of their medical properties, 
as famed for allaying arterial excitement. Accordingly, early 
in September, with some agreeable companions, (which formed 
a great inducement,) I wended my way to that beautiful val- 
ley, where health and pleasure seem to dwell as tutelar guar- 
dians of the lovely spot. There I determined to remain some 
days, that I might inhale the invigorating freshness of the 
mountain air, and luxuriate in the delights of the mountain 
scenery. And well was I repaid, not only in the happy re- 
sults of the experiment, as it regarded my health ; but further, 
as it enabled me to cultivate some valuable acquaintances re- 
cently formed, among whom, I am pleased to recognise a phy- 
sician who evinced no common interest and sympathy in my 
case. By his advice I remained three weeks, making free use 
of this health-restoring fluid, and receiving therefrom benefit 
transcending my most sanguine expectations. During my stay 
at this Spring, I found each painful and alarming symptom 
gradually subsiding, and the pulsations of the heart, and greater 
arteries, decreased from 96 to 72 vibrations in a minute — -the 
throbbing of the head ceased to annoy me, and I had every 
reason to consider myself convalescent. The last week in 
September I returned home with renewed health, and invigor- 
ated feelings, and am now daily growing better. My usual 
amount of strength has returned, and I am confirmed in the 
opinion that the malady under which I had so long labored, 
and all its distressing consecutives, have been totally eradicated 
by the free use of the Red Sulphur Water. 

" Here, let me bear testimony to the polite kindness of the 
worthy proprietor of that celebrated watering place, whose un- 
ceasing attentions to the wants and comforts of his guests call 
for high eulogium." 

The Red Sulphur water may be used with the most decided 
benefit in obstinate cases of bowel complaints, gleet, leucor- 
rhoea, catarrh of the bladder, and uterine derangement. 



40 

It is not unusual for persons while using this water to pass 
calculi from the bladder, some specimens of which are in my 
possession, about the size of common beans. I do not p-etend 
to assert that the water has any specific action on the stone ; 
but, by its powerful diuretic effects, by allaying irritation, and 
probably by relaxing the urethra, the calculi are washed as it 
were from the bladder without pain. This fact is worthy the 
consideration of all persons laboring under calculous affections 
of the kidneys or bladder. 

The general instructions which have been given regarding 
the mode of using the Red Sulphur Water, may not be con- 
sidered sufficiently condensed to meet the view of the general 
reader. I will, therefore, recapitulate the directions. Begin the 
use of the water with great caution. If the system should be too 
plethoric, or too much excited, the use of the water should be 
postponed until the excitement shall be reduced to a proper 
state. Commence by taking one glass of water at bed-time, and 
one before breakfast ; after a few days, take two glasses at bed- 
time, and two before breakfast, one at 11 o'clock, A. M. and one 
at 5, P. M. ; this quantity will generally operate freely on the 
bowels ; if it should fail to produce this effect, a little common 
salt, magnesia, or cream of tartar may be added. If it is desir- 
ed to act on the kidneys, increase the quantity of water to three 
or four glasses between a light supper and bed-time, and the 
same quantity between day-light in the morning and breakfast 
time, two glasses at noon, and one or two glasses about 5 
o'clock, P. M., taking care to exercise freely after drinking. 
The most proper periods for using the water are, at night be- 
fore bed- time, and in the morning before breakfast time. 



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